Virtual Northwest Airlines is dedicated to providing a unique environment for the advancement of the virtual aviation experience.

Through our mutual efforts, vNWA partners, pilots and staff continually work to ensure that all of our members feel as part of a family of like-minded enthusiasts who work together to simulate the operations of Northwest Airlines as closely as possible by utilizing the same fleet, routes, and hub structure of the airline before it merged.

In doing this, vNWA staff endevour to provide our pilots with all the tools needed to make their experience as enjoyable and realistic as possible.

James Bishop, vNWA CEO

vNWA VATSIM Activity

smartCARS Live Flights

Updated Policy Manual

Posted by Mark Toler on 02/02/2026

UPDATED POLICY MANUAL

The Executive Staff has updated and revised the Virtual Northwest Policy Manual.  We would like for all the Pilots and Staff to download and read the updated Policy manual and respond that you have done so. 

The Policy Manual is located in the Pilot Center under the "Downloads" section at the bottom of the page.  This is a requirement for all active vNWA Pilots and Staff.

Please email me at mst_64@comcast.net that you have accomplished this request.  There is a lot of information to stay compliant as well as our operation as a whole

There are some exciting changes ahead for vNWA so stay tuned for announcements in the near future that we believe will grow the VA again.

Thanks for your attention into this matter!

Mark S. Toler

Chief Executive Officer

Virtual Northwest Airlines

2026 SUPER BOWL LX

Posted by Mark Toler on 02/02/2026

2026 SUPER BOWL LX CHARTERS

Well its that time of year again for the 2026 National Football Championship with SUPER BOWL LX on February 8th out in Santa Clara California between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks.  As always vNWA will be hosting the event with Charters beginning this Friday February 6th running through Monday February 9th. 

Our Charter routes will be running out of our Major Hubs of MSP, DTW, MEM, EHAM, ANC, & RJAA.  We will also have flights out of the 2 respective teams home towns of BOS & SEA with all flights going into Norman Y Mineta San Jose Intl. (KSJC). 

The routes are numbered in our smartCARS3 system VNW8000 - VNW8027 and as always, pilots can fly any other route we have in our system and get credit as well into KSJC. 

The top 3 pilots will get Bonus hours for the most charter routes flown as well as extra Bonus hours for the pilot that has the best landing rate below - 100 fpm. 

Lets have a great turnout for this year SUPER BOWL LX Charters here at vNWA beginning this Friday Feb. 6th!

Lets Samba FNO

Posted by Mark Toler on 02/02/2026

 LET’S SAMBA — FNO CARNIVAL EDITION 

When VATSIM’s biggest weekly event meets the soul of Brazilian Carnival, the result can only be one: a night destined to go down in network history.

Friday Night Ops arrives in the heart of Brazil with a special edition connecting three of the world’s most iconic Carnival destinations:

 Salvador, where electric trios lead endless crowds and turn the streets into pure energy.
 Recife, driven by the rhythm of frevo, a tradition that makes hearts race and feet move.
 Fortaleza, vibrant and tropical, pulsing with celebration by the sea.

In partnership with VATUSA, VATBRZ places Northeast Brazil at the center of the virtual aviation map for a night that blends culture, intensity, and top-level ATC.

 February 6
 22:00Z – 02:00Z
 SBSV • SBRF • SBFZ

Carnival takes to the skies.
And Brazil takes the spotlight.

Hail Mary in the Bay

Posted by Mark Toler on 02/02/2026

Airports: SMF,SJC,HWD,LVK,MOD,SCK
Date/Time: February 7, 4-8pm PT
Date/Time (zulu): February 7, 2359z - February 8th, 0400z

Calling all the pilots. With Super Bowl 2026 taking place at Levi's Stadium this year, ZOA presents Hail Mary in the Bay! Let this be an enjoyable way to spend your time before the big game the next day. We'll see you on the scopes, cheering on your favorite team.

Booking Info This event is a slotted event with slots bookable from 1/17/2026 at https://superbowl2026.oakartcc.org/. These will be based on arrival times into the event airports of SMF, SJC, HWD, LVK, MOD, SCK.

Reminder This event falls under COC B12 "During events and periods of high traffic, a pilot may be issued traffic management initiatives (e.g., ground stops, Expect Departure Clearance Time (EDCT), Calculated Takeoff Time (CTOT), etc.). When such an initiative is in effect, a pilot is obligated to abide by the initiative. A pilot shall not circumvent these initiatives."  Controllers are authorized to delay or ground stop traffic that is not part of the event, especially when volumes exceed capacity. This includes aircraft not holding an official event slot or not adhering to pre-arranged flow procedures. Non-slot traffic may be asked to hold on the ground or reroute, and such instructions must be followed.

500 Minutes of DAB

Posted by Mark Toler on 02/02/2026

Join the virtual Jacksonville ARTCC in preparation for the Daytona 500 as they staff up Daytona Beach for 500 minutes. Whether you're flying a transcontinental flight in an airliner, or a regional flight in a regional jet, we welcome you to Daytona for the race!

Time: 9a-5:20p ET
Featured Fields: KDAB

BVA Regional Circuit

Posted by Mark Toler on 02/02/2026

In the Regional Circuit, we staff up multiple of our airports to provide pilots with an opportunity to receive 'gate-to-gate' ATC service for the duration of the event. Pilots are encouraged to fly between the airports and make the return flight if time allows; however, traffic from other airports is welcome as well. The Regional Circuit always creates an immersive atmosphere with busy frequencies and congested airways between the host airports.

This Regional Circuit features Albany (ALB), Burlington (BTV), and Bradley (BDL) airports.

February 10, 2026 1900-2200ET {10 Feb 2026 2359-0300Z}

vNWA Hub Tour 2012-2022

Posted by James Bishop on 06/25/2025

 vNWA Hub Tour 2012-2022

 Get to know your fellow pilots, and their airspace. There is no specified time to complete this tour, have fun with it and see what you get upon completion.  Click the Operations tab at the top of the homepage and click on "Tours" to get started. 

Be sure to leave a comment indicating a leg of the Tour when filing your PIREP so we can credit you with each leg of the Tour.